The necessary documents depend heavily on which legal path you choose. In 2026, the requirements for Delhi and Washington, D.C. remain distinct. Here is the comprehensive checklist for both locations.
1. Delhi, India (Court Marriage)
Whether you are applying under the Special Marriage Act (Civil) or the Hindu Marriage Act (Registration), you will need these core documents:
For the Bride & Groom:
- Proof of Age: Birth Certificate, 10th Class Marksheet, or Passport.
- Proof of Residence: Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Ration Card, or a Utility Bill (Electricity/Water) in your name.
- Photographs: 4–6 recent passport-sized photos.
- Affidavits: Separate notarized affidavits declaring your date of birth, marital status (unmarried/divorced/widow), and that you are not related within the “prohibited degrees of relationship.”
- Marital Status Proof: * If divorced: A certified copy of the Divorce Decree.
- If widowed: The Death Certificate of the deceased spouse.
For the Witnesses (3 for Special Act, 2 for Hindu Act):
- Identity Proof: Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, or Passport.
- Residence Proof: Document showing their current address.
- Photographs: 1–2 passport-sized photos each.
If Applicable:
- Marriage Invitation Card: Required if you are registering a marriage that already took place.
- Ceremony Photos: 2–3 photos of the wedding rituals (for registration under the Hindu Marriage Act).
2. Washington, D.C. (Marriage License)
D.C. has a much lighter document burden. You do not need to bring a mountain of paperwork; the court primarily cares about your identity and age.
For Both Parties:
- Government-Issued Photo ID: This is the most critical document. You must provide one of the following:
- Valid Driver’s License
- State-issued Non-Driver’s ID
- Passport (Note: If applying remotely/by mail, D.C. requires a notarized color photocopy of the passport).
- Military ID
- Social Security Number: You must provide this if you have one (you don’t necessarily need the physical card, but the number is required on the form).
- Application Fee: $45.00 (Payable by cash or credit card).
If Previously Married:
- You do not usually need to show a physical divorce decree or death certificate, but you must provide the exact date (Day/Month/Year) and the City/State where the previous marriage ended on the application form.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Document | Delhi | Washington, D.C. |
| Witness IDs | Mandatory | Not Required |
| Affidavits | Mandatory (Notarized) | Not Required (Oath on form) |
| Residency Proof | Must prove 30 days in district | No residency required |
| Divorce Papers | Physical copy required | Date/Location info only |
Quick Tip: In both cities, ensure that the names on your ID cards match your Birth Certificate exactly. A small spelling difference (e.g., “Smit” vs. “Smith”) can cause the SDM in Delhi or the Clerk in D.C. to reject the application.
Are you gathering these for an upcoming application, or are you trying to resolve a specific discrepancy between your different ID documents?